Should I be cutting my iris leaves/stalks?

Question

My neighbor just cut the leafy stalks of his irises down to about 6 inches. I've never had irises before, they came with the house. I don't even know what kind they are because I've never seen them bloom. Should I be cutting these things down or leaving them alone?

Answer 1

Good answer above! Just remember leaves are solar collector, the longer they are green and exposed to the sun, the better job they are doing recharging the (iris) rhizome....or tulip bulb, etc. Many people are a bit anal about garden clean up, wanting everything nice and tidy. I say, let the plants tell you when they are finished by yellowing leaves. Then you can tidy as desired.

Answer 2

you may free this years bloom yet you may transplant them. With the iris as tight as you're saying you may not be getting a lot of a bloom in any case so i might want to do it with the idea of next three hundred and sixty 5 days having a very good instruct. the finest time of the three hundred and sixty 5 days is from July to September yet they're many times divided and moved at any time of the growing season. i might want to elevate the total section, artwork the rhizomes aside, and trim the leaves down right into a fan structure leaving 6" or so of leaf to each and each and every fan. Any dried up, smooth, or otherwise damaged rhizomes reduce off and get rid of. Replant the rhizomes so as that the authentic of each and every is above the soil.

Answer 3

For the best blooms next year do not cut or 'tie-up' leaves until they have turned yellow and begun to die, the leaves are still feeding the bulb for next year. You don't HAVE to cut them off but it may help reduce clean up next spring and reduce bugs and disease. We've had them for many years, you will love their ease of care and they can be easily divided every three years for more flowers.

Answer 4

Yes you should be cutting your leaves down on your iris
over wintering of iris borers are a possibility when you leave the stalky leaves standing

Answer 5

You should cut them down, we cut them down to the ground over the winter. Cutting them down helps them grow back better the next year.

Answer 6

yes. you should trim them as your neighbor did after blooming every year.the reason is so the energy the bulb is producing will go towards next years' blooms instead of wasting it on those leaves!